A bit of a shame, 'Sparkle' thought.
She really would've liked to have seen what Screwllum was thinking back when he was researching the AllSpark.
Too bad she'd been whisked away by the Arbiter back then.
Missed out on brainstorming with Screwllum.
Well, now that they've met, they could chat when they have time.
If things weren't too busy later, a trip to Planet Screwllum might be nice too.
--+--
'Sparkle' held the manuscript, studying the AllSpark for a whole day.
Once she understood it, she went ahead and gave her little serpent an upgrade with the AllSpark's power.
That was the beauty of AllSpark-born creations.
Whenever the AllSpark iterated on itself, or someone completed an iteration upgrade for it, all it took was another exposure to the AllSpark's power, and even older model robots could be upgraded instantly.
So there was absolutely no issue of outdated models being left behind or becoming obsolete.
At least, according to AI Herta, just on Herta Space Station alone, the AllSpark had been used for iterative upgrades at least seven or eight times over the past few centuries.
The most recent one was fifty years ago.
That time, a small force from the Antimatter Legion had been drawn by a Stellaron, thinking they could score an easy win.
Naturally, AI Herta, controlling the space station, charged right at them, hammer held high with a furious roar.
They successfully wiped out the legion, but took some damage themselves.
Considering it'd been nearly a century since the last upgrade, AI Herta activated the AllSpark herself, completing both repairs and an iteration.
"Mr. Screwllum is about to arrive at the station. Shouldn't you go out to greet him?"
AI Herta's sudden voice snapped 'Sparkle' out of her engrossed reading of the space station logs.
"Huh? It's already that time? Alright then."
'Sparkle' glanced at the time.
She was surprised she'd been researching here for so long.
So she got up, put everything back in its place, made a few preparations around the station, and headed to the platform.
She didn't have to wait long. Screwllum arrived at the station with precise punctuality, right on schedule.
Screwllum, dressed in impeccable formal attire, walked slowly down the passageway.
He paused for a brief moment upon seeing 'Sparkle', then stepped forward: "Hypothesis: if thought always precedes language, then no words can define this joy."
His calm yet gentle voice instinctively conveyed the demeanor of a gentleman.
"A pleasure to meet you, Lady Bai Ming."
'Sparkle' gave a slight bow, though she felt subtly bothered by Screwllum addressing her as 'Lady'.
But then she remembered her current appearance, and the impression she'd left on these geniuses over the past few centuries...
Trying to correct the form of address now seemed a bit complex too.
Besides, she had to play the role of Herta next. Having Screwllum call her 'Sir' then would indeed be strange.
"A pleasure to meet you as well, Screwllum. Please forgive me for meeting you in this form. It's just that my true visage makes... pleasant conversation rather difficult."
"Logic: Over the past centuries, the emergence of the Giants of Light has altered the landscape of the entire cosmos. That I have the fortune to meet their Creator in person is something for which I should offer thanks."
Screwllum looked seriously at Bai Ming.
Though they had conversed online more than once, this was their first meeting in reality.
Just as he said, the Giants of Light that suddenly appeared centuries ago had, in those days, shaken the entire firmament within a matter of days.
That troubled civilization of that era, the Talak Federation, has now become a significant name recorded in cosmic history.
Back then, the Interastral Peace Corporation intervened, under the pretext of allying with the Giants and bringing justice to the Talak Federation, attempting to prevent the birth of more Giants.
Many forces across the firmament expected friction between the two sides.
But the Giants of Light, as their Path indicated, did not crave power or authority.
More than more companions, they desired a peaceful and stable society.
Therefore, they welcomed the IPC's intervention, even actively promoting the Federation's full integration into the Corporation's territory.
This choice gave the entire cosmos a clear understanding of these Giants.
As the Mechanical Aristocrat, Screwllum naturally paid attention to such a newly emerged group.
But even he had to marvel at the selflessness and greatness of such a group, and of such a Path.
For the Giants not only treated Intelltrons with respect, they could even extend basic respect to highly intelligent AIs that hadn't yet become sentient machines.
It was an astonishing character.
"The character of the Giants of Light commands respect, and the Creator they revere must surely be equally great."
Screwllum placed one hand behind his back, opening with praise that left 'Sparkle' a bit at a loss.
"You flatter me, Mr. Screwllum. The greatness belongs to the Land of Light, not to me. Without the collaboration of Herta and Ruan Mei, I could not have accomplished this."
"Logic: Humility is also a rare quality."
The praise was measured and appropriate.
Every reaction from Screwllum was perfectly appropriate.
"Let's move past the pleasantries, Mr. Screwllum. The reason I sought you all out this time is mainly because I may have discovered a rather strange... possibility."
"Possibility?"
Facing Screwllum's puzzlement, 'Sparkle' nodded:
"I assume you've learned about me from Herta. I often walk abroad borrowing the appearances and abilities of others. While I can control this ability, who I borrow from is rather random."
Screwllum nodded upon hearing this.
According to the descriptions from Herta and Ruan Mei, Lady Bai Ming's true form was a very unique soul-based life form.
Soul.
For two geniuses to define her using 'soul' was enough proof of her uniqueness.
"And this time, I randomly borrowed from a very special existence. I don't know if she's from the future, or some kind of possibility, but she is unique enough."
"She?"
Screwllum accurately caught the personal pronoun used.
"The details can wait until we get to Herta City. This identity is a bit too sensitive to discuss here."
'Sparkle' raised her hand.
A cluster of Phase Flame unfolded before them.
Hearing this, Screwllum nodded.
Bai Ming's cautious attitude had genuinely piqued his curiosity.
The two of them stepped into the Phase Flame, one after the other.
When their vision brightened again, they had already arrived at Madam Herta's brand new Herta City.
And the moment they landed, 'Sparkle' sensed an extremely dense aura of Light-based life and the Path of Hope.
"..."
She thought she might have guessed how Herta managed to deal with the Lord of Silence's Knowable Domain.
A Herta puppet led the two to where Herta was having afternoon tea.
Herta glanced at the arrivals, and from her chair, made an inviting gesture for the two travelers to sit in the empty seats.
"You're here. Come, have some afternoon tea first. Though I don't know what mysterious scheme you're cooking up this time, Bai Ming, if it doesn't meet my expectations, you'll be staying obediently in Herta City for a while."
"...Starting with imprisonment right away?!"
"You'd better find a nicer way to phrase that."
A vein seemed to throb on Herta's forehead.
Was this guy getting addicted to playing a Masked Fool? So infuriating.
--+--